You may not live in the Bahamas, but you can still enjoy some beach vibes in your home. Here are tips from our recent Home Front chat with designer and author India Hicks.
Start with a neutral base. “I always say that with the kaleidoscope of color on the outside of a tropical home we try to keep the inside more muted,” Hicks said.
Think simple gray and white walls, she said, and sea-grass mats and dark-stained furniture. Then add color with accessories, such as wall art, pillows and cushions.
“Its easier to change out your cushions than repaint the walls,” Hicks said.
Hicks also suggests getting costal-inspired bedding (or even mosquito netting draped over a four-poster bed).
Incorporate nature. Don’t be afraid to decorate with seashells and coral prints for walls.
“Oh yes, I have shells everywhere,” Hicks said. “They are a reminder of holidays and trips and adventures.” Display them clustered in a bowl on a side table, on a dining table when you have guests over, or on a bathroom shelf.
“Don’t forget large oversized vases of palm fronds if you really want to capture the feeling of the islands,” she said.
Palm fronds last much longer than tropical flowers, Hick said. If you’re landlocked, you can order imitation palm fronds from craft stores and put them in vases around your house.
credit: https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/home/island-style-tips-for-your-home-just-in-time-for-warm-weather/2015/05/07/b240f2ba-f4cf-11e4-84a6-6d7c67c50db0_story.html